Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

Abstract

A 75-year-old-man experienced liver dysfunction and was diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis. His serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was very high (16.24 ng/ml). Because the etiology was unclear, we considered the possibility of amyloidosis. Biopsy of the mucosa of the stomach, duodenum and rectum demonstrated amyloid deposition. From the findings of Congo red staining and immunohistochemical analyses, we made a diagnosis of systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. Unfortunately, the patient died one month after the diagnosis. We considered that serum HGF was useful for the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of primary systemic amyloidosis.

Hepatomegaly and jaundice as the presenting symptoms of systemic light-chain amyloidosis: A case report

“…The risks of both these tests is very low, with a comprehensive diagnostic sensitivity of 85%[ 18 ]. There are also reports suggesting that hepatocyte growth factor can serve as a useful non-invasive auxiliary marker for diagnosing primary systemic amyloidosis and predicting prognosis[ 19 ]. However, for patients with AL amyloidosis with only liver involvement, we can rely only on liver pathology to establish the diagnosis.…”